Boonlua Chatree
A tour guide died after a business rival allegedly
slashed him to death in a fight over customers.
NattapongKesornsuntorn, 24, died of extensive
bleeding Dec. 10 following a brawl on Walking Street’s Soi Diamond.
Police have issued an arrest warrant for Pairot Muangkla, a 32-year-old
unlicensed tour guide suspected of killing the Nakhon Sri Thammarat man.
Investigators said both men were involved in luring
tourists to see adult shows around Walking Street, charging as much as
500 baht per head for their services. Nattapong and Pairot were said to
have had a long-running dispute, which boiled over after midnight when
the suspected killer allegedly tried to steal the victim’s customers
outside a Soi Diamond go-go bar.
Witnesses said Nattapong started a fist fight but
Pairot finished it when he grabbed a knife from a nearby sausage vendor
and stabbed and slashed Nattapong repeatedly in the arms, legs and
chest.
Pattaya Police Superintendent Col. Nattawut
Suwanla-ong said he has since ordered officers to crack down on illegal
tour guides and touts, which he said are often the source of tourist
complaints and violence.
